Liquidity strengthened on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Monday as investors increased trading activity across the equity market, driving transaction value to N38.70 billion in one of the busiest sessions in recent weeks.
Trading data showed investors exchanged 606.19 million shares worth N38.70 billion in 53,471 deals.
The latest figures represent a clear increase from August 27, when investors traded 499.96 million shares valued at N35.15 billion across 40,323 deals.
The simultaneous rise in trading value, volume and the number of executed deals suggests that fresh liquidity entered the market rather than capital merely rotating among a handful of stocks.
The improvement in market activity coincided with a strong performance by the benchmark index.
The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) advanced 1.20 percent to close at 244,199.39 points, while equity market capitalisation climbed to N157.739 trillion, extending the market’s recent recovery.
The stronger trading activity followed the release of Nigeria’s second-quarter GDP report, which showed the economy expanded 4.43 percent year-on-year, compared with 3.89 percent in the first quarter. While trading data alone cannot establish that the GDP report triggered the rally, the improvement in market participation suggests investors responded positively to the stronger economic outlook.
Banking stocks once again accounted for a significant share of market liquidity.
Access Holdings Plc led trading by volume after investors exchanged 126.54 million shares worth N3.95 billion, representing approximately 21 percent of the day’s total market volume.
GTCO Plc generated the highest transaction value among the day’s most active equities, with 33.18 million shares worth N4.43 billion changing hands, while UBA Plc recorded 31.49 million shares valued at N1.45 billion.
Beyond the banking sector, trading activity spread across other industries.
Nigerian Breweries Plc ranked among the most actively traded equities by value, while insurance and technology stocks featured prominently among the day’s top gainers, indicating that buying interest broadened beyond financial institutions.
The expansion in liquidity was also reflected in market leadership.
Omatek Ventures Plc topped the gainers’ chart with a 10.00 percent appreciation, followed by Ikeja Hotel Plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, SUNU Assurance Nigeria Plc, and Royal Exchange Plc, suggesting investors were increasingly willing to deploy capital across multiple sectors.
The combination of stronger turnover, higher deal count and broader participation marks a departure from the narrower rallies recorded in previous sessions, when gains were driven primarily by a handful of banking stocks.
Monday’s trading indicates that confidence in the equity market strengthened as investors committed more capital to listed companies.
Although banking stocks continued to provide the market’s liquidity backbone, the increase in overall trading activity and wider sector participation point to improving market sentiment and a more active investment environment.
